Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a reorganisation in the aviation agencies and re-appointed Mr. Akin Olateru as the Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N).
He began his career in engineering maintenance with Pan African Airlines and the Nigerian Police Air Wing after which he left Nigeria for further studies overseas. He has also worked with multiple airlines in Europe including KLM, Martin Air in Holland, British Aerospace Engineering and British Midland Airways. Olateru, an aircraft maintenance engineer with Nigerian, UK and USA licenses was first appointed in 2017.
He attended City University, London and graduated with M.Sc. in Air Transport Management with specializations in research and simulations into accident investigations. The president also approved the appointment of Prof Bako Matazu as the new director general of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
He replaces Prof Sani Mashi who was sacked recently for alleged financial impropriety.
Matazu holds a PhD in Geography (Applied Meteorology). He also holds the membership of the Nigerian Environmental Society, African Forestry Forum, Nigerian Meteorological Society, the Climate Change Network, Nigeria and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Nigeria (REEN).
Until his appointment, Matazu was the general manager, Meteorological Research in the Agency (MRA). Also approved by the President is the appointment of Capt. Modibbo Mahmud as the new rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria. The new Rector holds the Airline Transport Pilot Licenses of the Federal Aviation Administration, USA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Embraer, Citation and other international professional certifications.
Until his appointment, Modibbo had served in various capacities, including pilot in training, fleet captain at Dornier Aviation Nigeria, Max Air and other organisations. He has clocked about 6000 hours of flying career. All the appointments are with the immediate effect.
